Celtics ☘️ Sentinel

  The list is long - NBA superstars that have spurned Boston . Hell, even Jayson Tatum didn't want to be drafted by the Celtics . He preferred tha Phoenix Suns and the Arizona sunshine.  Kevin Durant wanted no part of Boston. Ditto for Anthony Davis. Now it's Damian Lillard expressing no desire to travel to Beantown. And perhaps soon-to-be-bought-out Chris Paul may follow suit in discarding Boston as a destination. NBA superstars seem to want the sunshine, warmth, beaches and "Party City" environments. They flock to the Lakers and Clippers in California, and Miami seems to draw a few. I personally think that the elite players don't shun the Celtics for any real-or-perceived flaw in the team's structure. I honestly think these superstars visualize a solid five months of cold weather - driving in snow - and not having the party atmosphere they can find in Miami or California .  We can't finish this piece without mentioning the bright lights and endorsem...

 Yes, I know the odds of The Suns' Chris Paul ending up with the Boston Celtics after possibly being waived by Phoenix are quite slim, but I honestly think that offering CP3 a second shot as the initiator of Lob City - and possibly his first Championship. Picture it. That would mean putting Chris back with Blake Griffin - and r eplacing the Dunk Machine, Deandre Jordan, with Rob Williams . Blake and Chris are not the same players fans watched with the Clippers, but both can still operate at a fairly-high level in somewhat-restricted minutes. CP3’s market, at least for a short-money deal, will be strong. Memphis, which should be aggressive. Both LA teams. Boston, which could be on the hunt for more playmaking. Miami, even. Lot of possibilities. — Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) June 7, 2023 Let me continue. Two of the several issues that cost the Celtics from competing in the Finals this past season careless passes and turnovers . Chris Paul averaged 7.9 assists per game this past...

 Don't get me wrong. Kevin Durant's trade to Phoenix makes the Suns a worrisome foe - for now. The "Fearsome Foursome" of Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton and Durant is damn potent. But Durant will be 35 years old prior to the start of next season - has a 4-year deal worth $194 million - and has a significant injury history. Phoenix will be good if KD is healthy, but for how long? That return, with those unprotected picks, is an amazing haul for an unhappy player. — Josh (@poundcoyne) February 9, 2023 The Nets get three players back from Phoenix (Jae Crowder, Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson) and a gold mine of unprotected draft picks (2023, 2025, 2027, 2029) and a pick swap in 2028 . That haul dwarf's what Danny Ainge got when he sent Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to Brooklyn.  This move makes Phoenix maybe the top contender for the NBA 2023 Title - if the stars remain healthy (and happy). Durant has moved around the League like a gypsy. He can't be cou...

     Bucks vs Suns is good for basketball and the NBA! While the main stream fan who is only into the big names will say this final doesn't have KD, Harden or LBJ so I'm not watching . Well there are plenty of reasons to watch. First let's start with the Bucks who have the Greek Freak leading them with other unheralded stars like Kris Middleton and Jrue Holiday . Hard nosed players like PJ Tucker and Bobby Portis Jr .      The Suns are lead by Chris Paul and a burgeoning star in D Book . A true big in DeAndre Ayton and Mikal Bridges who can just about do everything. A blossoming coach in Monty Williams who has maximized this roster and they play as he did with heart and savvy.       Both the Suns and Bucks have had very long absences from the NBA Finals and both fan bases deserve to enjoy this ride to the fullest. These two teams represent the word Team . Basketball has and will always be a team game. Lead by stars but the pieces ...

 CelticsBlog's Jeremy Stevens writes about the Celtics having a clean slate and benefiting from adding some solid veterans .  A soft reset could benefit the Celtics, who could seriously use some bench depth this offseason. Nothing dramatic, but some solid veteran signings would go a long way. I won't disagree with that, but I might add that The Green already have some solid vets that can help set the tone in the regular season and playoffs. Marcus Smart , at 27 years of age, is the longest-tenured Celtic, and Al Horford , at 35 years, will be rejoining The Wolverine on the parquet. Add in Evan Fournier, age 29, if he and Brad Stevens can reach an agreement, and possibly Tristan Thompson , (age 30) if the Celtics retain him. It is likely that Jayson Tatum rises to the level of team leader this season, but veteran stability is always needed for any valid Title hopes. I constantly bring up the current Phoenix Suns roster, and the only "greybeard" in the mix is 36-year...

 The surprise Phoenix Suns took out the Milwaukee Bucks last night, with the final score 118-105. The Suns' defense forced the Bucks to turn the ball over 13 times, resulting in 20 fast-break points.  Turnovers were a problem for the Milwaukee Bucks, with eight of them coming in the first half as the Phoenix Suns forced them to cough up the ball with suffocating defense. Though they trimmed their turnovers down to just six in the second half, the Bucks still allowed the Suns to score often in transition (20 points on fastbreaks). Deandre Ayton was exceptional in transition for the Phoenix Suns, moving down the lane to receive a pass from teammates and get easy baskets with no bigs in the middle. Many Celtics fans would love to see this fast-paced style in Boston this coming season. Smothering defense - forced turnovers - quick outlet passes - run and gun - easy hoops. The 2021-22 version of The Green has the tools - the right players. Granted, the Celtics don't have their own...

Former-Celtic, Rajon Rondo and Chris Paul just never get along. Saying they don't like each other simply understates the issue between the two NBA point guards. When an unidentified man mistook Rondo for CP3, the Laker guard was displeased - to say the least. Rondo was ready to swing at this man for calling him Chris Paul pic.twitter.com/mRn2ARPbnr — Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 3, 2020 There is clearly hate in Rondo's expression, and we can see the same anger in the October 20, 2018 confrontation between Rondo and Paul. It was the Lakers versus Rockets - and Rondo against CP3 in what came to be known as SpitGate . #SpitGate Part 2 WAS IT MELO???? pic.twitter.com/59wz1xVVef — Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) October 21, 2018 Whatever case Rondo's making, NBA is evaluating a video clip captured courtside that shows saliva/spit shooting from Rondo's mouth onto Chris Paul's face. It appears Rondo will have to sell league on fact that it was unintentiona...

Because this incident involved two former Celtics players, I took a closer look at Kyrie Irving re-injuring his jaw this morning when his Nets took on the Lakers in exhibition. Even though some news feeds and tweets seem to indicate the Lakers' Rajon Rondo caused the re-injury to Irving's face, that may not be totally correct. Closer analysis of "Kyrie Irving injury by Rajon Rondo" incident Kyrie Irving Injury By Rajon Rondo On Fractured Face In Debut! Nets vs L... https://t.co/5KjzrgDAZ4 via @YouTube — Tom Lane (@CelticsSentinel) October 10, 2019 An announcer in the video states, "He (Kyrie) leaned into Rondo's shoulder" - which appears on close examination to be the case. Irving was wearing a protective mask at the time of the contact due to a previous facial injury. I ask the question, why was Irving even playing if the original injury made his jaw so vulnerable. I also ask why Rondo was made the villain once again by some. to me it looks like...

Skills coach Drew Hanlen is well-known for his off-season work with NBA stars, present and future. He teaches the skills and puts them to the test against the League's best. Watch Jayson Tatum work against CP3 and Beal one-on-one - and be glad he is not being tutored by Kobe Bryant (as he has in the past). I found the video entertaining while waiting many more weeks for the season to begin. Here are a few clips from yesterday’s 1v1 battle between @RealDealBeal23 @jaytatum0 & @CP3 ! pic.twitter.com/4fWZYoLMET — Drew Hanlen (@DrewHanlen) July 26, 2019 Got to sit in on a @PureSweat workout with @DrewHanlen . It was amazing seeing some incredible NBA players up close. @jaytatum0 @MeyersLeonard @RealDealBeal23 . Thanks @Coach_Parker007 for the opportunity. pic.twitter.com/i5Oor0hHFN — Logan Phillips (@LSP_LHS22) July 17, 2019 And one other point. Jayson has indicated that he has put on roughly seven pounds of muscle in the off-season, bringing him from 203 pounds to...

The summer trade frenzy continues with Chris Paul and future draft picks going to the Houston Rockets for the Thunder's Russell Westbrook. Make no mistake - this one is big. The Rockets back court with two recent MVP candidates may now be the best in the NBA. ESPN story on blockbuster deal reuniting former MVP's Russell Westbrook and James Harden on the Houston Rockets -- with CP3 on his way to the Thunder. https://t.co/605aNR69IQ — Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 12, 2019 CP3 is not expected to remain in Oklahoma City for much more than a cup of coffee, and Miami, or even Milwaukee, could be his next destination. This deal makes the Rockets a legitimate Title contender to go against other superstar pairings that have taken place in the West. They will now contend with the Clippers Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, in addition to the Lakers Lebron James and Anthony Davis. After the Rockets were eliminated this postseason, James Harden said he knew exactly what the team n...